David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com With historically low interest rates in place for the foreseeable future and a continued shortage of available housing inventory, if you’ve been thinking about putting your home on the market, there may be no time like the present. While your home’s value is largely determined by square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and comparable sales in your neighborhood, there are certain steps you can take to help nudge the selling price up a bit. And there’s no better place to start than outside in order to elevate that all important curb appeal. Here are five yard and garden improvements, recommended by Consumer Reports, that can boost your home’s resale value: Improve your landscaping.  A yard that’s overgrown with unruly hedges, crowded trees and rampant weeds and grasses can be an instant turn-off to would-be buyers. Take the time to spruce up your yard by trimming back shrubs and cutting off dying tree branches, paying par...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Many homeowners are hesitant to install too much technology in the bedroom. After all, doing so can easily make your sleeping space feel impersonal or cold. When done correctly, however, it’s possible to harness the best of modern living while still keeping your bedroom cozy and inviting. Here are a few tips for doing just that. High-Tech Window Treatments There’s no denying that the right window treatments can warm up any room, both literally and visually. Whether you have blinds, shades or drapes, a smart system will allow you to take complete control via your mobile device so you can open them up without getting out of bed. You can even set a schedule to wake up to natural light each morning. Smart Bulbs Smart lights can also be controlled through your phone, but the benefits don’t end there. With the right bulbs, you can even adjust the color temperature as needed. From a gentle glow to a full-spectrum of vibrant shades, there are end...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The housing market has been scorching hot over the last twelve months. Buyers and their high demand have far outnumbered sellers and a short supply of houses. According to the latest  Existing Home Sales Report  from the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR), sales are up 23.7% from the same time last year while the inventory of homes available for sale is down 25.7%.  There are 360,000 fewer single-family homes for sale today than there were at this time last year.  This increase in demand coupled with such limited supply is leading to more bidding wars throughout the country. Rose Quint,  Assistant Vice President for Survey Research  with the  National Association of Home Builders  (NAHB), recently  reported : “The number one reason long-time searchers haven’t made a home purchase is not because of their inability to find an affordably-priced home, but because they continue to ge...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Some Highlights Mortgage interest rates have dropped considerably over the past year, and compared to what we’ve seen in recent decades, it’s a great time to buy a home. Locking in a low rate today could save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home loan, but these low rates may not last forever. If you’re in a position to buy a home, let’s connect to determine your best move in today’s housing market while interest rates are still in your favor.

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Even with 2020 in the rear-view mirror, it's fair to assume we'll still be spending a good amount of time at home in early 2021. Here's a roundup of popular décor and design trends to keep in mind if you plan to redecorate this year, so you can nest with the best. Comfort and functionality 2020 was a year when most of us spent more time at home than ever before. Not only were we confined to our homes during our free time, but our homes also became our gyms, our schools and daycares, and (if we were lucky) our offices. All of these new demands have made comfort and functionality top priorities in home design. Unused guest rooms and formal living rooms have been given more useful purposes. Home offices have gone from makeshift setups to more permanent work stations. The rise in popularity of overst...

  David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The active listing inventory decreased by 55 homes in the past two-weeks, down 2%, and now totals 2,438, its lowest level since tracking began in 2004. In January, there were 6% fewer homes that came on the market compared to the prior 5-year average, 169 less. Last ye ar, there were 4,030 homes on the market, 1,592 additional homes, or 65% more. Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, surged by 273 pending sales in the past two-weeks, up 11%, and now totals 2,863, its strongest mid-February reading since 2013. The record low mortgage rate environment is fueling today’s exceptional demand. Last year, there were 2,479 pending sales, 13% fewer than today. The Expected Market Time, the number of days to sell all Orange County listings at the current buying pace, decreased from 29 days to 26, an extremely Hot Seller’s Market (less than 60 days) and the strongest reading since tracking began in 2004. It was at 49 days last ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com No matter how careful you are, inevitably, you’re going to spill something. Whether it’s red wine on your favorite shirt, tomato sauce on your best tablecloth, or chocolate on the rug, the time will come when you’ll have to move into action fast to remove a stain from clothing or furniture. Here’s a stain-removing guide from Real Simple for some of the most common culprits you’re likely to encounter. Coffee.  Stretch the coffee-stained fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water over it from about a foot above. If the coffee included milk or cream, follow up with an oil solvent. Sugar too? Pre-treat the item with a stain remover. Wine.  For red wine, start by giving the stain a coating of salt. Then stretch the fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water over it from a foot above. For white wine, run cold water over the stain then spray with a solution of 1 tbsp. of clear dish soap in 10 oz. of water, and dab with an enzyme detergent. Choc...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Are your kitchen cabinets bursting at the seams? Are the countertops cluttered with gadgets, spices and a miscellaneous pan or two? If you’re lamenting the lack of space in your small kitchen, keep in mind the answer doesn’t always involve more square footage. The editors at marthastewart.com selected and reviewed a variety of products and ideas for effectively storing kitchen items when you’re shy on space. Try one or two of the following to help solve your storage needs and create a less-cramped kitchen: Declutter the pantry.  The first step to fitting everything neatly into your pantry closet is to conduct a thorough review. Chances are you have more than a couple of items past the expiration date. Toss them in order to free up more space, and refrain from buying more until you’ve used up most of your current stock. Put the items that you have on hand into a recipe search to make meals with your existing stock. Organize utensils.  D...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Now as much as ever, your home may be a sanctuary for all kinds of expression, from thinking and dreaming to working and playing. Over the past year, homeowners began to consider the intersection of function and design in new ways. Weekend warriors are dedicating themselves to creating more organized living spaces and making their homes better places for learning, working and living. If you’re considering upgrades to your home, consider these DIY ideas from the experts at Royal Building Products that can increase beauty and resale value. Home Office:  Spending more time at home may mean storage space is at a premium, especially if you’re relying on a makeshift home office. You can add a high-impact and functional element to your office with a built-in bookcase or workstation. Consider your materials carefully since they have a big impact on your final results. For example, a versatile alternative to wood is synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Looking to get a little more stylish in the most-used room of the house? Wanting to up your gourmet-cooking game in 2021? Then consider some of these highly popular kitchen design trends based on Instagram likes, shared by the experts at Martha Stewart. 1. Shaker-style cabinets.  Offering simplicity and practicality, Shaker cabinets can work in any style kitchen, from traditional to contemporary. Known for their square frames and flat panel sides, Shaker cabinets are highly versatile as well as timeless. 2. Center islands.  Quickly becoming a staple of kitchen design, center islands have so much to offer, from additional cooking space to a convenient spot for friends and family to congregate. Your island can also be a way to add creative flare, with a unique countertop or a pop of painted color on the base. 3. Wooden floors.  You can’t go wrong with a wooden floor in your kitchen, providing value and a timeless design sense. Look ...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com By Anica Oaks Making the choice to purchase a new home is a major decision for anyone. Once you've settled on the idea that you do want to buy a home, there are many more options you'll have to face; one of the most important is the ideal size of a home to best fit your family and lifestyle. Here are some tips so that you can choose the right size home to meet your needs:   Realize That Bigger Isn't Always Better You may initially start your home search thinking that size doesn't really matter. As long as it seems big enough to live in, you don't care how large it actually ends up being. The truth is that bigger isn't always better. A large home requires more money—and time—to maintain. Unless you're using the space, you could just end up wasting your money on maintaining a big house for no reason.   Know Your Maintenance Budget A crucial aspect of your home purchase decision is to determine what your budget is going...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently applauded the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) announcement that it will enforce the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD's move, based on the Supreme Court's reasoning from last June's Bostock decision, effectively expands civil rights protections to LGBTQ Americans seeking housing and housing-related services. The decision follows an executive order from the Biden administration directing federal agencies to implement the Supreme Court's interpretation in all federal civil rights activities.   "NAR has long championed LGBTQ rights in the housing market, first calling for expanded protections in 2011," said NAR President Charlie Oppler. "There are few greater human needs than housing, and to exclude LGBTQ individuals from the protections afforded to other Americans is cruel. This...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com In today’s housing market, all eyes are on millennials. Not only are millennials the largest generation, but they’re also currently between 25 and 40 years old. These are often considered prime homebuying years when many people begin to form their own households and invest in real estate. If you’re like many millennials who are spending much more time at home these days, you may have a growing need for more space or upgraded features, making moving more desirable than ever. For those millennials who already own a home, there’s a great opportunity to move up in 2021. Danielle Hale,  Chief Economist  at  realtor.com , explains: “Older millennials will be trade-up buyers with many having owned their first homes long enough to see substantial equity gains.” Even if you bought a home sometime in the last few years, you may have more equity than you realize, and that’s a big factor to consider when you’re thinking about m...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com There are so many great reasons to purchase a home, and over the past year, we’ve realized more of them than we ever thought possible. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, having a home of your own can give you a greater sense of security and accomplishment in a time that’s largely uncertain. If you’re a repeat buyer looking for your dream home, making a move might give you the space or features you need to find greater success and happiness in a new normal way of life. Whatever your motivations are, here are three reasons why becoming a homeowner now may help you win big in the long run. 1. Buying a Home Is a Great Investment Several recent reports indicate that real estate is still a good investment, topping other options such as gold, stocks, bonds, and savings. Why? Real estate helps you build equity, a type of forced savings that grows your net worth. According to the latest Equity Report from  ATTOM Data Solutions : “...

David Deem 714-997-3486 Dave@DeemTeam.com Headlines matter. Right now, it’s hard to read about real estate without seeing a headline that suggests homes have become unaffordable for most Americans. In reality, there’s hard evidence that shows how owning a home is more affordable than  renting  in most parts of the country, as record-low interest rates are keeping monthly mortgage payments about 23%  lower  than the typical payment of 20 years ago. Despite the facts, misleading headlines persist, and they impact how hopeful homebuyers perceive the market. In a recent  survey  by  realtor.com , home shoppers indicated they were surprised by what they could actually afford when buying their first home. In fact, 47% discovered their budget was larger than they expected. George Ratiu,  Senior Economist  at  realtor.com , explains: "For first-time buyers, especially, the drop in the 30-year mortgage rate…has provided unexpected leverage. Lower...